Report: Aoun Waging a 'Regime Battle' for Hizbullah to Cut Sectarian Danger

Head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc Michel Aoun said on Thursday that he understands the contrasting stance of his ally (Hizbullah) as for approving the term extension of military officials including extending the term of Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, As Safir daily reported

Aoun denied any concerns claiming that the “strong strategic coalition that links it to Hizbullah is worrisome.” He even pointed positively to the calls of the Loyalty to the Resistance head MP Mohammed Raad that called for the postponement of the cabinet meeting to pave the way for “fruitful contacts that aim to enforce partnership and evade challenges,” added that daily.

“As per my role, It is my destiny to reduce the risk of sectarian strife. I am saving Hizbullah from waging a regime battle that it cannot wade for sectarian precautions,” visitors to Aoun quoted him as saying.

The daily also said that talks circulate among the FPM ranks that “if they continue to marginalize our rights and hit the pillars of the system, then it is worth to consider again the federal option.”

Last week, Defense Minister Samir Moqbel postponed the retirement of Higher Defense Council chief Maj. Gen. Mohammed Kheir after no consensus was reached over three candidates that he had proposed, angering the FPM which says that it opposes term extensions for all senior officers.

The movement fears that the extension of Kheir's term could pave the way for a new extension of the tenure of Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji next month.

Qahwaji's retirement had been postponed in September 2013 and his term was instead extended for two years.

On Wednesday, Hizbullah called for postponing a controversial cabinet session scheduled for Thursday amid a declared boycott by its main Christian ally, the Free Patriotic Movement, as Christian ministers close to ex-president Michel Suleiman and the March 14 camp announced that they would attend the meeting.